KTLA Earthquake Screengrab 3/17 - H 2014
A strong earthquake hit Los Angeles early Monday morning. The 4.4 magnitude quake hit at 6:25 a.m. PT at a depth of about five miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The quake was centered 5 miles north-northwest of Westwood, 6 miles northwest of Beverly Hills, 7 miles west of Universal City, 7 miles north of Santa Monica and 2 miles south-southeast of Encino, Calif., according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
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The Los Angeles Fire Department tweeted that it has received no immediate reports of injury or damage.
The quake was reportedly felt as far away as Camarillo, about 55 miles northwest of Los Angeles, and Palmdale, about 63 miles north of L.A. At least one aftershock occurred, about an hour after the initial quake.
“Today’s earthquake is a reminder that every L.A. family must be prepared with food, water and other essentials, as well as a plan,” Mayor Eric Garcetti said in a statement. “While it appears the greatest impact of this temblor was a rude awakening, we are executing our post-earthquake protocols to survey our neighborhoods and critical infrastructure. I have been briefed by my science adviser for seismic safety, Dr. Lucy Jones, and will continue to monitor the situation.”
For their West Coast broadcasts, NBC’s Today and CBS This Morning both led with news of the earthquake before segueing into coverage of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370.
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KABC, meanwhile, pre-empted Good Morning America to stick with local coverage of the earthquake, including offering tips of earthquake preparedness and interviews with residents who felt the quake.
The other local news stations — including KTTV, KCAL and KTLA — also continued to cover the event throughout the morning interspersed with reports on other local and national news. KTLA was broadcasting live when the quake hit (watch the video below).
The incident seemed to wake up, and scare, several stars, with many tweeting about the quake. Among those shaken up were Justin Bieber‘s manager Scooter Braun, Ryan Seacrest, Elizabeth Banks and Christina Applegate.
Well that is one way to start a Monday. Woken up by an earthquake. Hope everyone is ok.
— Scooter Braun (@scooterbraun) March 17, 2014
That earth quake just scared the shit out of me!!!!
— Kelly Osbourne (@KellyOsbourne) March 17, 2014
Cali fam…you guys okay? I see the quake woke quite a few of us up!
— Queen Latifah (@IAMQUEENLATIFAH) March 17, 2014
earthquake felt while playing happy by pharrell on radio
— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) March 17, 2014
That was way too scary…
— Kaley Cuoco Sweeting (@KaleyCuoco) March 17, 2014
Earthquake! I leapt out bed to check on the kids. They slept right through it, and couldn’t have cared less.
— Elizabeth Banks (@ElizabethBanks) March 17, 2014
OMG. Biggest earthquake I’ve ever felt
— Ashley Benson (@AshBenzo) March 17, 2014
Nice wake up earth! Geez
— christina applegate (@1capplegate) March 17, 2014
Wheeeee! #earthquake
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) March 17, 2014
A lot of guys in LA just got credit for being much better in the sack than they deserve credit for. #earthquake
— Emile Hirsch (@EmileHirsch) March 17, 2014
#earthquake News Anchor: “People jumped out of bed like ninjas!” Like NINJAS.
— marti noxon (@martinoxon) March 17, 2014
This just in: Earthquake found to be collective angst of Sony employees about to be let go.
— Steve Elzer (@Steveelzer) March 17, 2014
